There are several interviews with the good Samaritan that turned around to rescue these RV'ers when he saw a foot sticking out of one of the windows.The mother and daughter said they did NOT know how to use the escape window and were trying to get out thru a smaller opening window and could not.1.....Visual proof on why it is important to have an escaped ladder mounted somewhere near the window.2......Visual proof why everyone in your RV knows how to use the escape window BEFORE you head out.It looks as if the father in shock was trying to unhook the toad to drive around to the window to try and get his family out.If that man did not turn around to help these people get out of this RV, IMHO there might have been fatalities. And by gawd LEARN/TEACH everyone in your RV how to use the escape window. EVERY person that rides in my MH gets my "In Case of Fire Drill". They are shown where all the fire extinguishers are, yes there are several from front to back, AND how to use the escape window.Thank the Lord for that good Samaritan who turned around and that all got out safely.http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/28737191/local-man-helps-rescue-3-people-from-burning-rv-in-lake-cohttp://www.fox10tv.com/story/28721208/fl-man-rescues-mother-daughter-from-burning-rv

You also need to actually open it every couple years as they can stick from lack of use. Crawling out backwards is usually better than head first.

Personally, I don't care whether there's a ladder available or not...If there's a fire, my wife gets thrown out first closely followed by yours truly....and yes, know where your escape windows are and how to open them. Simple stuff we don't always think about.....Dennis

In 5 year I have never opened my Fire escape window.were camping in 2 weeks. its on my to do list.Thanks Rockhillmanor. your post might save a life

I went to a class on fire safety at the FMCA rally in Pomona and learned a lot! I had never opened the escape window in the bedroom and we could not open it! It took us a lot of effort and time to open it and the seal tore in places, but it is now open. We are in the process of getting a new seal and making sure we open it occasionally so it does not stick again. We also practiced getting out of the window. To us, knowing what to do in case of a fire and practicing is extremely important.

Coat the window seals with a silicone lubricant and they will not stick when you need them.

MH Fire in Florida didn't know how to use escape window

19 Replies

Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Apr 08, 2015
rockhillmanor wrote:
Can putting nitrogen instead of air in the tires, like so many suggest to do, cause this type of horrific fire from just a blown tire?
Unlikely to make much of a difference in the final outcome. Something caused the tire to go but the tire being the ignition point is a bit unlikely. The tire blew out for any number of reasons and could have damaged something that caused the fire. Considering there appears to be a liquid on the road burning under the driver's side tire I wondering about the generator. No mention if it was running or not and we'll probably never know.

Sorry to see the coach go and BZ Ross Thompson the RV Doctor. He can add life saver to his title. I'll keep him in mind if I ever need a mobile RV mechanic in the Orlando area.
noleakman
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
Some of us just have the regular windows but with a red handle to open for regular use and it is for crawling out also not the whole window opens, but just slides to the right half way!
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Apr 08, 2015
rockhillmanor wrote:
BTW. Did you all hear the owner say in the video that this horrific fire started when the front tire blew out? He said it exploded and caught fire by the time he walked around to the front? And he could hear more explosions.

Can putting nitrogen instead of air in the tires, like so many suggest to do, cause this type of horrific fire from just a blown tire?

I would guess that he had a dragging brake in the front which caused the heat to cause the tire to blow. Even if the tire was so far under-inflated that it blew, it should not have been hot enough to burst in to flames.
deandec
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
rockhillmanor wrote:
BTW.
Can putting nitrogen instead of air in the tires, like so many suggest to do, cause this type of horrific fire from just a blown tire?

I think our air is mostly Nitrogen already. 78.09%.
Carvin_Marvin
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
If you have window awning straps anchored below the window, the strap will not allow the window to open fully. Read that on the Escapees site. Changed my anchor to the window frame. It now will hold the window open while I get out.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Apr 08, 2015
BTW. Did you all hear the owner say in the video that this horrific fire started when the front tire blew out? He said it exploded and caught fire by the time he walked around to the front? And he could hear more explosions.

Can putting nitrogen instead of air in the tires, like so many suggest to do, cause this type of horrific fire from just a blown tire?
lots2seeinmyrv
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
Yes, thanks for the tip on the silicone.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Apr 08, 2015
Twomed wrote:
Check the windows every year and lube the seal when you change your smoke alarm batteries.

NOT just any grease...sparkplug boot release silicone from NAPA, made for rubber and will not eat the seal. :) :)

Thanks for posting those tips. Good to know what type of lube to use.
Roger_in_VERMON
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
I check both escape windows every year to make sure they work. My only problem is I have never explained it to my wife. You bet she knows now.
emiddleb
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
hottubkid wrote:
cyntdon2010 wrote:
In 5 year I have never opened my Fire escape window.

were camping in 2 weeks. its on my to do list.

Thanks Rockhillmanor. your post might save a life

Just be sure when you open the escape window to test it, that someone is outside to catch the window. Many of them fall away from the coach and would hit the ground and break. Don't think they are cheap. But do open the window to break the seal. I had a salesman try to show me how and he couldn' open the window because of the seal

Yes on above. My '04 Vectra owners manual says "Do NOT test for proper operation. Use care when exiting emergency window, as broken glass may be present in the exit area."